Clone Club News Flash Spring 1985

On The Fritz Released

Early May marked the release of Steve Taylor's new album "On the
Fritz".

"On the Fritz", Steve's third album for Sparrow, was recorded at Grand
Slam Studios in West Orange, NJ, featuring the talents of some of New York's
finest players--Tony DaVilio, Hugh McCracken, Carmine Rojas, Larry Fast and
Allen Childs. They have collectively performed with numerous major acts,
including David Bowie, John Lennon, Julian Lennon, Paul McCartney, Billy
Joel and Steely Dan. The new LP is being co-produced with Taylor by Ian
McDonald, who as a former member of Foreigner, co-produced the first three
albums for the group, as well as the legendary "Kings of the Crimson Court"
for King Crimson. "Fritz" also included Some Band members Dave Thrush and
Cactus Moser.

The first video clip will be from the track "This Disco (Used to be a
Cute Cathedral)".

A feature-length video by Taylor, based on the "On the Fritz" title
track, soon begins production for a fall release.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

By Steve Taylor Age 27

"Write about what you know." That's the one rule I remembered from high
school English class. And ever since England's "Buzz" magazine had offered
me the chance to write a 1500 word article on whatever I wished, I'd
bandied-about a number of titles in my brain on subjects I had more than a
passing knowledge of--everything from "Airplane Food: The Silent Killer" to
"Ethical Television Evangelists in America" (which I wasn't sure could be
stretched to 1500 words). But it wasn't until late last week, while I was
working on my second draft of "The Customs Official Who Smiled: A True
Story", that it dawned on me. Perhaps the Buzz and Newsflash readership
would be interested in simply hearing about what it's like touring in a
Christian rock band. You know, kind of an honest, penetrating, in-depth,
no-holds-barred, fast-is-stranger-than-fiction, day-in-the-life scoop!
Sounds fascinating, huh? Hello? (Author's note: All of the events
depicted in this story are true. Some of the names may have been changed,
but then again maybe they weren't. Chronology of some incidents has been
altered to make the article more readable and keep you from skipping ahead
to the Nasty Letters section).

11:55 PM - They left me. This is the second time in one
week. After I've stuck around following tonights concert to meet everyone
from the promoter's cousin-in-law to the guy who changes lightbulbs in
restrooms, my band has left without me. I come out of my dressing room to
find the lights out, the auditorium empty, and a lone stagehand tapping his
wristwatch. Tonight was to be another all night drive, and since the band
probably thinks I'm traveling with the crew, they may not notice my absence
until tomorrow night when they take the stage. Come to think of it, they
may not even notice then. The stage door phone rings--it's for me.
It seems that Cactus (my drummer--may not be his real name) realized someone
was missing when he began to feel almost comfortable in our van (an
American-made passenger wagon designed by a contortionist). After a lengthy
search through the six inch layer of food wrappers revealed nothing, they'd
gotten concerned and pulled off the highway to call the hall. Tonight is
going to be a long trip, but lest I make the roadlife sound overly cruel, I
remind myself that a few years ago I was working as a nursery school
janitor.

7:30 AM - Glen (my bass player--may not be his real
name) has awakened from a deep sleep with the perfect imprint of a corduroy
seatcover across his face--looks like one of those tribal warriors in
National Geographic. Everyone's hair is a memorable sight after an all-
nighter (reminds me of the guys in Undercover). After a quick breakfast of
Egg McMuffins I start in again answering letters. Most of the mail I
receive is very pleasant--people writing to say they like the albums or a
specific song or concert--and I answer them with a quick paragraph or two
(barely legible due to poor road conditions and a genetic penmanship
disorder). But some of the letters are quite troubling. One young man
thinks that the song I wrote about a martyred Polish youth is advocating a
U.S. military build-up. A teenager from Florida wants to know why I never
put any praise songs on my albums. Another letter tries to convince me that
the situation at a racist fundamentalist college portrayed in "We Don't Need
No Colour Code" really isn't that bad, and that I shouldn't judge them. I
spent the next half hour staring out the van window. Why does being
misunderstood by a few people I don't even know bother me so much? After
going through my Bible and jotting down numerous references, I write the
last letter a length response and I feel a little better. But I'm still
bothered by the guy who didn't get the point of the song about Poland.

My thoughts are interrupted by the burning realization that someone in
this van could not have had a shower for at least a week. The band itself
being a very hygienic bunch, I narrow it down to one of two overworked crew
members (names withheld).

3:30 PM - I recall once asking the record company why
live appearances at Christian book and record stores were really necessary,
and they mentioned something about politicans kissing babies. As the van
drives away, leaving me standing in the all-but-empty parking lot of the
Wing and a Prayer Christian Bookshop, I reflect on how I've had about the
same success with in-store appearances as I had with sophomore opera
lessons. I enter the shop and walk up to the sales counter, realizing that
I probably don't look very fresh after an all night drive. My fears are
confirmed when the cashier tells me that the soup kitchen is around the
corner. After introducing myself, her face turns red and she mumbles
something about my looking shorter on the album. She quickly goes to the
back to get the manager, who seems somewhat fearful to meet me. He
apologizes for the small turnout (I haven't noticed any turnout)
and blames it on school not being out, the towns conservative tradition, and
my relative obscurity in this area. He then takes me to the back, where a
table has been set up with a punchbowl, nut cups, and a "Welcome, Steve"
cake. I try to make him feel better by telling him that I'm not well-known
in most areas of the country, and he replies that he's not surprised. He
goes on to say that he doesn't really care for my style of music, but that
his four-year old daughter really likes it. At 4:00, he insists on having
me draw a name out of a hat to win a free "Meltdown" album. The excitement
of the drawing is somewhat diminished by there being only one customer in
the store.

6:00 PM - Tonight is going to be difficult. I arrive at
the auditorium to find it's not an auditorium--the location has been changed
to a church sanctuary. The "stage" is barely deep enough to set up drums.
I'll be singing on the steps above the pulpit, and there's no power to run
our lighting rig (which would look a bit silly anyway with the eight foot
high ceiling). I make a mental note to limit my hopping around on stage or
risk a concussion. The concert promoter introduces himself, immediately
asks that I tell tonight's audience not to dance, and wants to know if I'll
be doing an alter call. I question him extensively on the preparation he's
done for counseling and follow-up, and decide that he is ill-prepared. He
insists that even if thirty make a commitment to Jesus tonight and only two
are committed Christians a year later, that's better than none. I ask him
about the twenty-eight who will think from lack of follow-up that they tried
Christianity and it didn't work for them. The subject is a very touchy one
for me, because after five years as a youth pastor, I've learned how easily
young people can be manipulated into doing something they neither understand
nor want. I'm interested in using my music to communicate Christian truth
to my culture. I'm not interested in using an emotionally-charged rock
concert to get numbers streaming down the aisles in order to justify a
"ministry". I've seen many Christian concerts. Some preach the Gospel
honestly and forthrightly--some do not. It occurs to me that I've only been
to a handful of Christian concerts that I wouldn't have been embarrassed to
take a non-Christian friend to.

7:40 PM - I sit alone in a circle of chairs in the
dressing room. The band's due in five minutes for prayer. I'm beginning to
understand what makes the road such a struggle. It's not fatigue, it's not
unprofessional promotion, it's not malnourishment. It's the constant battle
I have with pride. All the rationale for doing concerts and insisting on
quality publicity and staging make perfect sense. But there's times when
the medium begins to take over the message, and even when I'm maintaining a
Godly perspective on it all, my ego keeps sneaking up on my blind side.
There's no room for selfish ambition and pride in Christian service, but the
battle can be exhausting. The band assembles, and I read from Philippians,
chapter two: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves... Your attitude should be
the same as that of Christ Jesus, who...made himself nothing, taking the
very nature of a servant..." The crowd is small, the stage situation is
perhaps the worst we've encountered on the tour, and the band is exhausted.
But somehow as we pray, the Spirit unites and energizes us for the concert.
It's going to be a good night. (This article first appeared in the May 1985
edition of Britain's Buzz magazine).

Trans-Atlantic Tour '85

Steve and Sheila Walsh embark on their first joint international tour,
encompassing more than 40 performances, from April 22 through June 21,
1985.

Titled "The Taylor/Walsh Trans-Atlantic Tour '85," the concert series
will appear in England and Scotland for 12 concerts including Glasglow,
Manchester, Liverpool, Southhampton and London, before coming to America on
May 9 in Indianapolis.

Sparrow Records and Brallier Productions of Nashville, TN are the tour
sponsors. Each Taylor/Walsh production will feature their own individual
sets, backed by Taylor's "Some Band" with the latest in sound, lighting and
state-of-the-art special effects. A special presentation for children of
third world countries will be given in conjunction with Compassion
International.

Sheila's first major American exposure came with the 1981 release of her
debut Sparrow album "Future Eyes", which followed "Triumph In The Air".
Coinciding with the release of "War Of Love" here in the United States, she
recorded a single with Cliff Richard in England, "Drifting", which was
prominent on the British pop charts for several months.

Sheila also supported Cliff on his annual British tour in 1981 and 1984.
The duo recently recorded a duet "Jesus Call Your Lambs" for Sheila's new
"Don't Hide Your Heart" album.

In addition to her work as a recording artist, Sheila just completed her
second season as host of BBC Television's "Rock Gospel Show", which is
viewed weekly by more than 14 million people throughout Great Britain.

Please refer to the back page for their complete "Trans-Atlantic"
itinerary.

Some Band Credits

[Photo and caption: Some "Meltdown" Band clowning
around in Stockholm in August of '84: (left to right) Glen Holmen, Dave
Thrush, Cactus Moser, Jeff Stone, Steve Taylor, and Steve Peters.]

Cactus Moser - drums
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6

Dave Thrush - saxaphone
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6

Steve Peters - keyboards
#4 #6

Woody Waddell - keyboards
#1 #2 #3

Jeff Stone - guitar
#4 #6

Glen Holmen - bass
#4 #6

Kerry Conner - guitar
#1 #2 #3

Teri Bryant - drums
#4 #6

Chris Richards - bass
#2 #3

Some Code

#1 - "I Want to be a Clone" album

#2 - "I Want to be a Clone" tour

#3 - "Meltdown" album

#4 - "Meltdown" tour

#5 - "On the Fritz" album

#6 - "On the Fritz" album

The Knot Is Tied

It was a bold move described by her friends as adventurous and by her
financial consultant as foolhardy. The former Miss Debbie Butler of Irvine,
CA threw caution to the wind and accepted Steve's Christmas Eve proposal
(even though it meant giving up a promising career to become a nomad). They
were married in a private ceremony at a little church in Connecticut with
the Reverend Roland Taylor (Steve's father) presiding. They are pictured
here striking a casual pose at their California reception.

Mr. Managers Report

Grammy And Dove Nominations

Steve was honored with both Grammy and Dove nominations this year. Steve
received his first Grammy nomination in the "Best Male Gospel Performance"
category, while also being nominated for Dove Awards as "Gospel Artist of
the Year" and for "Meltdown" as the "Best Contemporary Album of the
Year".

Taylor, along with his "Some Band", performed "Meltdown (At Madame
Tussaud's)" during this year's Dove Awards Ceremonies at the Tennessee
Performing Arts Center in Nashville on April 3.

When introducing Taylor and Some Band, Dove awards' host Pat Boone
commented "Somehow I don't think you'll hear music like this at church on
Sunday." After Taylor's performance he added, "That song probably wasn't
nominated in a traditional category."

Steve Taylor "Semi-Complete" Songbook

Sparrow/Birdwing Music will release "The Semi-Complete Steve Taylor", a
folio songbook containing the 16 song selections from Steve's "Meltdown"
album and "I Want To Be A Clone" mini-LP.

In addition to some of Steve's compositions, the songbook contains three
pages of photographs, which chronicle tour performances from 1983 through
the present.

"Meltdown" Released In Compact Disc Format

In a pioneering effort, Sparrow released "Meltdown" in the CD format.
Bill Hearn of Sparrow predicts the explosive growth of the CD configuration
will be duplicated at the Christian book and record shop level. Wait till
you hear the sounds!

Transatlantic Remixes

A new 12" single "Transatlantic Remixes" features Sheila and Steve
singing a duet to a David Edward's tune "Not Going to Fall Away". The
extended play includes some of LA's finest players with Dan Posthuma
producing. The B side finds remixes of "This Disco" (from "Fritz") and
"We're All One" (from Sheila's new album). The duet is unique in that it
will not appear on any other album. Look for it in mid-May and on tour.

"Choose Life" Update

We reported in the last Newsflash that $1.00 from the sale of every
"Choose Life" shirt would go to the pro-life movement. We are pleased to
announce that 4,000 of the shirts were sold on last fall's "Meltdown" tour.
The money was donated to Shannon's Hope of Denver, Colorado and Aaron
Problem Pregnancy Center of Boulder. Shannon's Hope is a shelter to support
women and their unborn children during pregnancy. Aaron Center counsels
women to "choose life" instead of abortion. Both are members of the
Colorado Right to Life committee.

Petra/Stonehill Dates

Steve and Some Band joined Petra for three dates and Randy Stonehill for
three dates in late March and early April. Highlights included the Universal
Amphitheater concert with Petra as well as Randy joining Steve on stage to
sing "To Forgive" (from "Fritz") in Washington D.C.

"Do Something Now" For Hunger

(NASHVILLE) Another segment of the music community has joined the African
famine drive via a recording by 65 Christian artists made here following the
Gospel Music Assn.'s Dove Awards ceremonies. April 3.

The session will lead to the release of a seven-inch single, "Do
Something Now", on the Sparrow label; a 12-inch single that contains the
song and artist interviews; and a 15-minute video of the recording session
itself, plus conversations with the artists involved.

Among the artists performing on the session were Amy Grant, Steve Taylor,
Sheila Walsh, Evie, Phil Keaggy, Sandi Patti, Bill Gaither, and Rick Cua to
name a few. Collectively, the group has labelled itself CAUSE--Christian
Artists United to Save the Earth.

The song was composed by Steve Camp and Phil Madeira. Camp also served
as producer.

All income from the project will go to Compassion International.

Membership Renewal

--again, please notice on your mailing label the date your membership
expires. Send the big buck ($1.00) to renew, and you can continue being the
only person on your block who actually pays money to receive advertising
(reprinted from last Newsflash).

Your Friend,

Rob MarshallMr. Manager

Thanks to Bob Angelotti for all his help.

Nasty Letters

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